Fix Your Slice: Golf Drill Using a Towel | GOLF.com

One of the most persistent frustrations for golfers is the slice – that unwelcome curve to the right that can derail a round. But a simple, everyday action, as demonstrated by renowned golf instructor Cameron McCormick, might be the key to straightening out your shots. McCormick, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who has worked with nine major championship winners and a combined 48 PGA and LPGA Tour champions, recently shared a drill on Instagram that connects a familiar task to the mechanics of a proper golf swing.

Wring the Towel to Close the Face

The drill, as McCormick explains in a short video posted on Instagram, involves mimicking the motion of wringing out a wet towel. This seemingly unrelated action, he argues, effectively teaches golfers how to close the clubface through the transition from backswing to downswing – a critical element in eliminating a slice and promoting a draw.

The brilliance of the drill lies in its ability to tap into a pre-existing motor pattern. Most people have wrung out a towel at some point, and the natural rotation of the lead hand and forearm is already ingrained. McCormick points out that this motion closely mirrors the hand action required to square the clubface at impact. “Wringing the water out of this wet towel in transition, turning your knuckles away and turning your palm away is going to help you close that clubface in transition and turn that slice into straight balls or draws,” he says in the video.

A slice occurs when the clubface is open at impact, sending the ball curving sharply to the right (for a right-handed golfer). By consciously practicing the “wringing” motion, golfers can learn to rotate their forearms and close the clubface, delivering a more square impact and a straighter ball flight. The key is to avoid leaving the face open, which is the root cause of the slice.

McCormick’s instruction doesn’t stop at simply understanding the motion. He provides a clear pathway for integrating the drill into your practice routine. After mastering the feel of the towel wring, golfers should then apply it to their golf swing. At the top of the backswing, pause momentarily. Before initiating the downswing, perform the same “wringing” motion with the club. This should create a subtle rotation of the clubface, preparing it for a square impact. With consistent repetition, golfers should begin to see a noticeable improvement in their shot shape.

The popularity of McCormick’s instruction is evident in the comments section of his Instagram post. Fellow golfers praised the drill as “awesome” and “great,” highlighting its simplicity and potential effectiveness. His Instagram profile, @CMcCormickGolf, boasts over 113,000 followers, a testament to his influence within the golfing community. He also maintains a presence on YouTube, Cameron McCormick Golf, and offers instruction through his Academy and podcast, providing multiple avenues for golfers to access his expertise.

McCormick’s success isn’t merely based on innovative drills; it’s rooted in a proven track record. His students have collectively won nine major championships and 48 professional tour events, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s leading golf instructors. The “wring the towel” drill, while seemingly simple, represents McCormick’s broader teaching philosophy: finding relatable, everyday movements to unlock a more efficient and effective golf swing. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the solution to a complex problem can be found in the most unexpected places.

For golfers struggling with a slice, this drill offers a low-cost, accessible, and potentially transformative solution. It’s a testament to the power of understanding swing mechanics and finding creative ways to translate that knowledge into tangible improvements on the course. The drill’s effectiveness, as demonstrated by McCormick and echoed by his followers, suggests that a little bit of everyday action can go a long way toward achieving a more consistent and powerful golf swing.